"Can you hear me?": the call that tries to record you saying "yes"

"Can you hear me?": the call that tries to record you saying "yes"

The phone rings, you answer, and a voice asks: "Hello, can you hear me?", "Is this the owner of the line?" or "Are you the account holder?". Then there is a pause, as if waiting for a clear "yes". Warnings about this call circulate widely: the idea is that your "yes" is recorded and used to sign you up for something or approve a payment. The reality is more nuanced, but the call is still worth handling carefully. The rule: you do not have to say "yes" to anyone who calls you, and you should confirm nothing about yourself to an unknown caller.

What is the "yes" call?

It is a short call, often from an unknown or overseas number, where the caller asks a closed question designed to make you answer "yes": "can you hear me?", "are you Mr Tan?", "do you speak English?". Sometimes it is a recorded voice. Sometimes the line goes silent after your answer. The purposes vary:

• Checking that the number is active and answered by a real person, so it can be sold or targeted again.
• Recording your voice, which can be used as raw material for voice-cloning scams aimed at your family.
• Starting a sales or scam script, where your initial "yes" is followed by more questions and pressure.

Is it true they can sign me up with a recorded "yes"?

A single "yes" cut out of context is generally weak evidence that you agreed to a contract or a payment. Real subscriptions and payments in Singapore normally require more: identification, written terms, an account or card number, and usually a one-time password or approval in your banking app. That said, you should not test the theory. If a "yes" is combined with personal details you gave in the same call, it can be used to support a fraudulent sign-up that you will then have to dispute.

So what is the real risk?

The real risk is not the word itself, but what comes with it:

• Personal details: full name, NRIC number, address, date of birth, bank or card details.
• Codes and approvals: OTPs or in-app approvals that the caller asks you to read out or confirm.
• Your voice, which may be used to clone it for a "relative in trouble" scam.
• Confirmation that your number is live, which leads to more calls.

How should I respond to a suspicious call?

1. Let the caller speak first. If they ask a closed question, answer with a neutral phrase such as "Who is calling?" instead of "yes".
2. Do not confirm personal details. A legitimate company that called you already knows who you are.
3. Do not read out codes or approve anything in your banking app during a call.
4. Hang up if the caller is pushy, silent or evasive.
5. Call back through official channels if the call claimed to be from your bank, telco or a company you deal with, using the number on their official website or your card.
6. Do not call back unknown overseas numbers. In Singapore, calls from abroad normally show a "+" in front of the number.

What if I already answered or gave details?

• If you only said "yes", do not panic. Watch your bank and phone bills for anything unusual.
• If you gave personal or banking details, call your bank on its official number and ask them to monitor or block your card.
• If you see a charge or subscription you did not agree to, dispute it with the company and your bank in writing. For consumer disputes with businesses, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore has guidance on its consumers page.
• If money was lost, make a police report via SPF e-services.

How do I cut down on these calls?

• Register your number on the Do Not Call Registry run by the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC). It covers telemarketing calls, SMS and faxes from organisations in Singapore. It will not stop scammers, who ignore the law, but it reduces legitimate marketing and makes the rest easier to spot.
• Install the ScamShield app, which can block known scam numbers and filter scam SMS.
• Use a call identification app like NoCall to see whether others have reported a number.
• Report suspicious numbers in the spam numbers directory.

Frequently asked questions

I said "yes" before I realised. Am I now signed up to something? Very unlikely from the word alone. Check your statements for a few weeks and dispute anything you do not recognise.

Why does the line go silent after I answer? Automated diallers often call many numbers at once and only connect when someone answers. Silence can also simply mean the system is checking whether the number is active.

Should I stop saying "hello" when I answer? There is no need to be paranoid. Just avoid confirming details to unknown callers and do not let a stranger lead the conversation.

Does the Do Not Call Registry block scam calls? No. It applies to organisations sending marketing messages. For scams, use ScamShield and report numbers.

In short

A recorded "yes" is not the main danger; your details, codes and voice are. Answer unknown callers neutrally, confirm nothing, never share codes, and call back through official channels. Register on the Do Not Call Registry, install ScamShield, and report the number in the NoCall spam numbers directory.